Details On Queen Elizabeth's First Royal Engagement Since Prince Philip's Death

Queen Elizabeth has returned to public duty only days after the death of her husband, Prince Philip. The Duke of Edinburgh passed away on April 9, 2021, following years of health struggles and setbacks. 

Last week, Buckingham Palace announced that the queen was choosing to enter into an eight-day long period of mourning. Entertainment Weekly explained that, in addition to the queen's own period of mourning, the country of England will go into a 10-day period of mourning, and the royal household will enter into a 30-day period of mourning.

Now it seems the clock may be resetting; today the queen entered back into royal life and attended the retirement ceremony for Earl Peel, her former Lord Chamberlain. The event is the first she's attended since Philip died. People reported that Queen Elizabeth hosted the ceremony at Windsor Castle. The Earl stepped down from his own duties about a week before the queen's husband passed away.

In typical times, the British monarchy issues the work-related plans each family member has for each day. Today, the record read, "The Earl Peel had an audience of The Queen today, delivered up his Wand and Insignia of Office as Lord Chamberlain and the Badge of Chancellor of the Royal Victorian Order and took leave upon relinquishing his appointment as Lord Chamberlain, when Her Majesty invested him with the Royal Victorian Chain." Notably, Earl Peel is presumably close to the family, as the role of Lord Chamberlain is one of the most senior roles the family offers.

A source close to the royal family also told People that it's really not a surprise that the queen is back to work so soon. The aide explained, "Her family will step up and be by her side, but she will carry on. She understands that she has a job to do, and [Philip] would have wanted her to crack on. She did do so when he retired from public life."